[12] It is narrated that the Commander of the Faithful—His might was mighty—was sitting in the mosque, and a group of his companions was with him, so they said to him: "Narrate to us, O Commander of the Faithful." So he said to them: "Indeed, my speech is difficult, deemed difficult, none comprehends it except the knowledgeable."

They said: "You must narrate to us." He said: "Arise with us to the house." Then he said: “I am the one who ascended so I conquered; I am the one who gives life and causes death; I am the First and the Last; I am The Exoteric (Al-Zahir) and The Esoteric (Al-Batin).” So they became angry and said: "Ali has disbelieved," and they stood up, so our master said to the door: “O door, hold fast against them,” so the door held fast against them, and he said: “Did I not tell you that my speech is difficult, deemed difficult, none comprehends it except the knowledgeable? Come, I will explain to you.

As for my saying: 'I am the one who ascended so I conquered,' then I am the one who ascended over you with this sword so I conquered you until you believed in Allah and His Messenger. As for my saying: 'I am the one who gives life and causes death,' then I give life to the Sunnah and cause death to innovation. As for my saying: 'I am the First,' then I am the first who believed in Allah and accepted Islam.

As for 'I am the Last,' then I am the last who shrouded the Prophet with his garment and buried him. As for 'I am The Exoteric (Al-Zahir) and The Esoteric (Al-Batin) ,'